MAMBAJAO, Camiguin — The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is pushing for a more innovation-driven economy by improving enterprise productivity, scaling up startups, and accelerating the commercialization of Filipino technologies through its Three-Horizon Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Economic Strategy, a key initiative under the Marcos administration to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.

DoST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said the strategy aims to maximize the role of science and technology in economic development by strengthening existing industries, building future enterprises, and creating stronger links among government, academe, businesses, and communities.

For the first horizon, which focuses on current industries, Solidum said DoST is targeting a 25 to 30 percent productivity increase among micro, small, and medium enterprises through Industry 4.0 and smart factory approaches.

Expansion of capabilities

The agency also aims to expand the capabilities of around 100,000 to 200,000 workers and beneficiaries by improving their skills and employability, which could contribute to higher productivity among businesses.

For technology commercialization, Solidum said DOST is working to support 300 to 500 technology startups by improving their market readiness and helping them become globally competitive.

To support this goal, the agency is establishing innovation ecosystems in universities through science and technology ecozones, where companies, researchers, and university spin-offs can collaborate and develop new technologies.

Ecozones in universities

“We can set up an ecozone in your university, international companies can settle there, the spin-off of the universities can also settle there, there are incentives from PEZA, and then they get to pull university graduates out of this part,” Solidum said.